California can help people eat better but not with a dumb label

California has found another ingredient to add to your dinner: more government.Gov.Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday creating a voluntary certification label for non-ultraprocessed foods and requiring warnings for certain high-sugar drinks at chain restaurants.

The stated goal is healthier eating. As a chef, restaurant owner, and father of four, I support that goal; I have been harping about healthy food since I opened my first restaurant in 2012.  The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The question, however, is whether Sacramento should have the authority to get into the market of deciding what’s good and bad, especially given its track record.

Time and time again, when the government aims to fix a problem, it only makes the problem worse and more expensive. You cannot eat a warning label, and you cannot sauté a certification seal.A family struggling to afford groceries needs more than another symbol telling them which products to buy. First, let’s be precise about what these laws do.

AB 2244 creates a “Non-Ultraprocessed Certified” seal that manufacturers can voluntarily seek for qualifying products through accredited certification agents under California Department of Public Health oversight.It is a certification program (run by the government with your tax dollars), rather than a requirement that every food receive a label.SB 869 requires chains with at least 20 locations to identify qualifying drinks that meet or exceed the federal daily value for added sugar.

The law calls for a sugar-cube icon inside a black triangle and an explanation, with compliance required by Jan.1, 2029.

Drive-through menus must display the information directly; restaurants have options for physical or digital disclosure elsewhere. There is nothing unreasonable abou...